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Letters to the editor

Submitted by Aurora1 on Tue, 11/13/2018 - 11:37am

Sign the Kremer recall petition
Dear Editor:
Let me start out by addressing the thought that I am in the Hamilton County EMS union. I am not, and although they have a vested interest in keeping their jobs, they aren’t the driving force behind this recall. Simply put, the people of Hamilton County are. I am not recalling Gregg out of malice, or personal discontent towards him. I am the voice of what I believe to be the majority, of which, are people with no ties to the union.
The commissioners have recently come out addressing my concern for the part-time employee coming into the station. They believe that a paramedic can go, by themselves, to the scene of an incident in the ambulance. Then a part-time employee would go in their personal vehicle to the scene. This screams liability waiting to happen.
If a call is in the Hordville, Phillips, Stockham, or surrounding rural areas, you’re going to guarantee me that that driver will get to the call separately? You’re also putting a lot on the paramedic who will potentially be on scene, for an unknown amount of time, alone. Personal vehicles clutter up the scene, get stuck in snow, and wreck on icy roads.
To say that Gregg is being “fiscally sound” and concerned with the taxpayer’s pocketbook, can be proven wrong just by looking at the two EMS proposals. A private company cannot get the grants that a city based fire/EMS can. So, to come up with a proposal that is significantly lower than what the city did doesn’t add up. The obvious answer is that the subsidy paid to the private service will continue to be raised year after year.
Although the ambulance is currently the center of our attention, there is a financial issue I would like to address. When transferring the Manor to the now privately-owned business, why did we donate close to $1 million worth of Medicare/Medicaid beds to Westfield? Our commissioners sold 66 beds valued at nearly $15,000 apiece, for $1,000 total, FOR ALL OF THEM. That is a $990,000 donation to a private company, with a lot of the same investors for the EMS private company Rescue 28.
Why are these beds licenses so important you might ask? Because, they are guaranteed money from the state when filled. If you would like an example of this McCook sold its licenses in 2012 for $12,500 each. Google McCook sells bed licenses and it will be the first article to pop up.
Finally, I would like to address being called a liar. If serving four years in the Marine Corps taught me anything, it’s that integrity has to be a part of everything you do. The beauty of Democracy is that if the “silent majority” does exist, then the recall will not be successful.
SIGN THE RECALL PETITION and let’s get someone who will listen to their constituents into that commissioner seat.
Tanner Greenough,
Aurora

Not a union issue
Dear Editor:
I am not a paid EMT or paramedic, I’ve never called 911 and needed an ambulance, and I’m certainly not in a union. However, I do strongly support a locally owned EMS department as I feel this valuable public service MUST REMAIN PUBLICLY OWNED. There is a small group of wealthier community members with control over a multitude of community issues. Do we want them to also own and control our Emergency Medical Services? Bottom line, our ambulance department needs to be ran as a service, not a for-profit business.
Tanner Greenough is acting as the principal circulator for the effort to recall Gregg Kremer. Greenough is NOT in the Hamilton County EMS Union, and I cannot overstate the amount of support he has, none of which is from the union. We spoke to the electors in District 4 before starting this process. We felt then, and still feel now, that the “silent majority” agrees with us and supports a recall. Nevertheless, the beauty of democracy is that if the majority does not want Kremer recalled, he will not be recalled.
With that said, I ask the citizens of District 4 that if you have an opportunity to speak with someone circulating this petition, please hear them out. Ask any questions you may have, form your own opinion on the matter, and if you agree with us, PLEASE SIGN THE RECALL PETITION.
In direct response to Doug Andersen’s letter to the editor last week: I challenge you to turn to the very next section of last week’s paper where your heated letter to Greenough was published. You will see a picture of Greenough in his service dress blues. I urge you to use better judgement before calling a decorated war veteran a liar, the weekend before Veteran’s Day, simply because you disagree with him.
Then again, perhaps unbeknownst to me, you’ve picked up a rifle in service of your country and feel you have the right to throw shade. Either way, Greenough is a very open, easy person to talk to. If you disagree with him or believe he has misstated facts, then give him a call and have a constructive discussion, rather than author libel upon his character in an open letter to the editor.
Derek Dibbern
Aurora

Taking offense to Andersen letter
Dear Editor:
Most days I would not let the words of Doug Andersen bother me. But today just isn’t one of those days. Mr. Andersen has repeatedly pointed his finger at the men and women of Hamilton County Ambulance and suggested that it is their fault. What has been reported is that an Aurora citizen in Gregg Kremer’s district (which I am a resident as well) felt unrepresented by the man elected into office. The decision to end the service was made against the wishes of many citizens in Hamilton County. If those citizens wish to stand up and move forward with a recall that is their right, Doug. Mr. Andersen claims that Tanner’s bias is obvious. I would say that this is the pot calling the kettle black.
Now here is where I take personal offense to Doug Andersen’s letter.
“EMS personnel are voting with their own pocketbook.” I have a long list of comments in regards to that statement but in the interest of remaining civil I will simply make this point. Paramedics and EMTs don’t do it for the money. We show up to work, making about the same as someone who flips burgers, and work all hours of the day and night to ensure the health and safety of the citizens of this wonderful community. How dare you call our dedication to the men, women, and children of this community into question, Mr. Andersen.
The paramedics and EMTs of this community have repeatedly made it clear that we believe that the people’s safety should come first. The people’s health and safety should be a top priority. This latest letter from Mr. Andersen is focused yet again on the cost. While I agree that we need to find an even keel financially, but when your primary focus is on the bottom dollar and not the citizen’s lives, you have some re-evaluation of priorities to make, in my opinion.
It is recorded in meeting minutes and on Facebook that taxes are not going to go down. The tax money used to ensure public safety will just be used on something else. So I would say to Mr. Andersen, simply the facts. Let’s talk about bias one more time. While Mr. Andersen only encourages you to go talk to Gregg Kremer, I would encourage everyone to speak to their elected representatives, attend the county meetings (even though they schedule them so the least amount of people can attend), and attend the city council meetings. Speak to your elected officials about these matters that are affecting your community. Come down to the ambulance station and speak to the paramedics and EMTs desperately trying to protect this community.
Lastly, don’t let Doug Andersen tell you to not sign a petition.
While I am curious as to what threats and scare tactics Mr. Andersen claims have been employed, this whole thing has been aired in the open for years now. If you don’t feel represented or heard, make yourself heard and do what you think you should.
I also just want to thank Kurt Johnson in regards for your comments speaking to the need for the process of finding proper ambulance service to be resolved. This is an issue that can’t continue to wait. Action needs to be taken and solutions put into place.
Don Adams,
Aurora

Ode to the WWII veterans
Dear Editor:
(Written in honor of WWII veterans in 1996)
There was a time when trouble came and threatened the U.S.A.
But we weren’t accustomed to being told that we would be conquered some day.
Now Uncle Sam said “I want you”.
As the signs of war were lent,
We said good-bye to all our friends
And off to war we went.
Now back home the call went out
To buy bonds and go to work;
We had an enemy that needed discipline–
The task they did not shirk.
It wasn’t enough to fight the east
As the battle raged on and on;
Another one also sprang up
Over toward the setting sun.
So after many long days and nights the tide began to turn,
It seemed that all the support from home made it’s mark; the enemy would burn.
Now the war in the East was over
And all the effort went to the West;
Just a matter of time, it seemed, ‘til the whole world would be at rest.
The enemy was poised to fight to the end and fight to the end they would—
But the Bomb came and came again; they gave up life we knew they should.
Now we are very proud, you know of the men and gals who fought
To make this country what it is; we enjoy the life they sought.
So until we find a better way
to settle all our disputes,
We give thanks to God above for all the brave recruits.